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Acne, large pores, blackheads and oily skin are some of the most common skin conditions that many of us deal with, even into adulthood. Keeping these skin issues under control can be quite the challenge, so we’ve put together 7 skin care tips to help you get healthy skin.

1. Use the right productsYou may be using the wrong skin care products for your skin type. Wash your face twice a day with a basic cleanser to keep your skin bacteria-free, and make sure you use an oil-free moisturiser. It’s also a good idea to try natural and organic skin care which has gentler ingredients as well as no preservatives and parabens (these can cause skin problems).

2. Reduce stressLike hormonal imbalances, stress can cause the skin to flare up. Thankfully though, this is preventable. Try reducing your work load and activities in the day, spend some time meditating, doing yoga or just relaxing and doing what you enjoy, and you’ll find that your acne gradually improves.

3. Get sufficient sleepMaintaining a healthy sleeping routine is very important to not just your skin, but your physical and mental wellbeing, so make sure you’re getting at least 8 hours of quality sleep each night. If you have trouble sleeping, cutting out caffeine intake in the late afternoon, drinking chamomile tea, taking a soak in the bath, and switching off the TV 30 minutes before bed can help to reduce stress, helping you sleep.

4. Drink plenty of water. Hydration is key to healthy skin and your general health, so try to get into a routine of consuming at least 2 litres of water a day. Drinking plenty of water flushes out toxins, keeps you hydrated from within and regulates your digestion, all key factors for healthy skin.

5. Eat more fruits and vegetablesWhy is it we’re mad for the latest antioxidant-rich, vitamin-laden skin care, when we can get this naturally from within by eating more fruits and vegetables? Some fresh produce are specifically amazing for keeping your skin healthy and glowing. These include strawberries, plums, orange, red grapes, kiwi, pink grapefruit, artichoke, beetroot, cabbage, broccoli, red chicory, red chilis, dark and leafy greens, sweet potato and carrot, among many others.

6. Check with your doctor whether you might have a hormone imbalanceAn imbalance in hormone levels can cause a host embarrassing skin conditions. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects an estimated 7 percent of all women, with symptoms including excessive hair growth, oily skin, blackheads and acne. Although there is no cure, your doctor might prescribe the contraceptive pill or progesterone to help balance your hormones and control the problem. If you do have PCOS, this will likely help with other symptoms of the condition too. Remember that treatments such as laser hair removal may not work in the long-term reduction of hair caused by a hormonal imbalance.

7. See a dermatologistIf you can’t find the cause for your skin troubles, a visit to a specialist can be very revealing. A dermatologist might be able to help determine whether an allergy is the cause of your problem, or may subscribe some effective products to help control, the condition.